Mind Body Optimization https://mindbodyo.com Your Single Source for Whole-Person Healing Thu, 07 Nov 2024 20:42:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://mindbodyo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MBO-22.png Mind Body Optimization https://mindbodyo.com 32 32 Beyond the Bottle: Unraveling the Underlying Factors of Problem Drinking and Mental Health https://mindbodyo.com/beyond-the-bottle-unraveling-the-underlying-factors-of-problem-drinking-and-mental-health/ Thu, 07 Nov 2024 20:32:41 +0000 https://mindbodyo.com/?p=3595

Beyond the Bottle:
Unraveling the Underlying Factors of Problem Drinking and Mental Health

Table of Contents
Meet The Authors
Many people don’t realize that problem drinking and alcoholism are not the same. However, there are similarities between the two groups. For one thing, problem drinkers and alcoholics tend to have underlying mental health disorders concurrently with problem drinking and alcoholism. Some problem drinkers have an alcohol use disorder (AUD), but most do not.

Problem Drinking vs. Alcoholism: What’s the Difference?

Alcoholics are physically dependent on alcohol. They have developed a tolerance, which means they need more and more alcohol to achieve the same result. They can experience debilitating mental, emotional, and physical withdrawal symptoms if their liquor supply is cut off. Without a supervised medical detox, death could result.
A person drinking to ward off or reduce withdrawal symptoms fulfills one of two criteria required for an AUD diagnosis. On the other hand, problem drinkers are not physically dependent on alcohol. They might drink plenty of it but won’t die without it.
Both problem drinkers and alcoholics get into trouble because of their intoxicated behavior. The consequences of these actions can be severe.
However, a person with problem drinking is more likely to change their behavior or even quit drinking to avoid unpleasant consequences in the future. An alcoholic, on the other hand, will continue to drink regardless of the consequences of their actions.

What Are the Symptoms of Problem Drinking?

  • You drink to get through the day.
  • You spend a lot of time drinking.
  • Loved ones are worried about you.
  • You’re a binge drinker.
  • You drive when you’ve been drinking.
  • You drink excessively on a regular basis.
  • You try to control your drinking.
  • You feel bad about your behavior while drinking.

Do Drinking Problems Cause Alcohol Addiction?

In time, problem drinking can morph into full-fledged alcoholism, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Alcohol addiction typically develops gradually over time. Nevertheless, researchers have found that binge drinking, which involves consuming large amounts of alcohol at one time, increases the risk of developing an addiction and a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the future.

What Are the Symptoms of Alcoholism?

Recognizing alcoholism in a loved one can be tricky when denial comes into play. Here are some symptoms to look out for:
  • You can’t stop drinking.
  • You spend most of your time getting and ingesting alcohol.
  • You always drink more than you plan to.
  • You can’t stop drinking regardless of the consequences.
  • You are always craving a drink.
  • You can’t fulfill your commitments.
  • You abandon activities you used to enjoy.
  • You put yourself and others in danger while under the influence.
  • You keep drinking, even though alcohol is making your life miserable.

How Many Drinks Are Too Many?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans define moderate alcohol use as two drinks per day for men and one for women. Exceeding these amounts can cause serious health problems over time. Even lower levels of alcohol ingested every day can cause mental and physical health problems.

Are Mental Health Disorders Causes of Alcoholism?

Researchers haven’t yet identified all potential alcoholism causes. However, they’ve learned that numerous factors of alcoholism may predispose a person to drinking problems or alcoholism. Biology, psychology, environment, social milieu, and family history can all be factors of alcoholism.

What Are Co-occurring Disorders?

Co-occurring disorders are mental health conditions that coexist with drinking problems or alcoholism. Co-occurring disorders can include anxiety, depression, burnout, and stress. Those conditions can cause a moderate drinker to become a heavy drinker and drive a heavy drinker into alcoholism.
Most people diagnosed with AUD have concurrent mental health disorders. In some cases, AUDs and mental health disorders are active simultaneously. In other cases, the co-occurring condition precedes the problem drinking or appears after an AUD is diagnosed.
Researchers don’t know if co-occurring disorders cause heavy drinking or if heavy drinking causes co-occurring disorders. Nevertheless, substance use disorders and mental health disorders must be treated separately.
Scientists know that certain psychological factors can make you more susceptible to alcoholism and more likely to increase your intake. For example, people with mental health conditions are more likely to develop alcoholism than the general population. They use alcohol to ease the psychic pain of a psychological disorder.

How to Treat a Drinking Problem

Untreated problem drinking generally escalate. For people who also have untreated mental health problems, it’s almost impossible to recover unless you seek help and start treatment.

For the mental health support you or your loved one need to quit drinking, contact MBO today. We’re here to help you heal.

Sustainable Healing Starts Here
]]> Depression in Men:Recognizing the Signs, Overcoming Stigma, and Seeking Effective Treatment https://mindbodyo.com/depression-in-men-recognizing-the-signs-overcoming-stigma-and-seeking-effective-treatment/ Thu, 07 Nov 2024 19:59:10 +0000 https://mindbodyo.com/?p=3587

Depression in Men:
Recognizing the Signs, Overcoming Stigma, and Seeking Effective Treatment

Table of Contents
Meet The Authors
Depression can be a life-altering and even life-threatening mental health condition. But men can be especially susceptible to the dangers of depression. All too often, men suffering from depression will turn to drugs or alcohol and attempt to cover their symptoms. Naturally, this often leads to great personal harm. Here, we will discuss why this is the case and evidence-based treatment options for Depression in men.

Signs of Depression in Men

Depression in men can be challenging to recognize due to the nature of the coping mechanisms men tend to employ. Often, these coping mechanisms, however maladaptive they may be, can cover up the signs of depression in men and their symptoms. This leaves men’s depression untreated and hidden, making it especially dangerous for the sufferer.

Depression in Men Symptoms

  • Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
  • Extreme tiredness, difficulty sleeping , and oversleeping
  • An inability to enjoy hobbies and activities typically enjoyed
  • Chronic headaches, abdominal pain, and digestive difficulties

Unhealthy Coping Strategies Common to Men

  • Escapism; sports, video games, workaholism
  • Problematic drug or alcohol abuse
  • Violent, abusive, or controlling behavior
  • Inappropriate anger or irritability
  • Excessive risk taking
These coping mechanisms can cover the condition and make sufferers of men’s depression feel that they are simply exhibiting masculine traits. Suppose the condition and unhealthy coping mechanisms persist long enough. In that case, the sufferer may become dependent on their coping mechanisms and grow to believe that they are just part of his personality.
This is when depression in men can become exceptionally dangerous.

Societal Norms Affecting Depression in Men

Instincts typical to men and the societal norms that have arisen around men’s depression symptoms make it more likely that depression will be disguised in some of the ways mentioned above. This does not mean that men are inherently weak or foolish. It simply means male instincts have specific vulnerabilities regarding depression and its symptoms. These vulnerabilities frequently lead to the following exacerbating risk factors.

Unrecognized Depression in Men

For many men, feelings of sadness or a lack of motivation are not easily recognized. Over time, failure to recognize the basic symptoms of depression leads to the repression of those basic depression symptoms, which in turn leads to other more severe symptoms. For many men, the first recognizable signs of depression are digestive problems, headaches, tiredness, long-term pain, or irritability.

Disregarding Male Depression Symptoms

Often, the drive to appear strong or to be productive despite all obstacles causes men to disregard the early symptoms of depression out of hand. Where they might otherwise address feelings of sadness or a lack of motivation, men who are susceptible to repressed depression are likely to “suck it up” or otherwise stuff their feelings down and self-medicate in one way or another.

Resistance to Help

Any man caught up in this cycle of repressed depression and self-medication will unlikely recognize the need for help. Sadly, this is why so many addiction sufferers must “hit bottom” before realizing the need for help and the necessity of professional addiction treatment.
When gone too far, this cycle of emotional repression and maladaptive coping can lead to suicidal thoughts, extreme substance abuse, and/or pronounced violence or risk-taking behavior.

Challenging Cultural Resistance to Depression in Men

The first step to recovering from any substance abuse condition is the realization that help is needed. This is equally true for the underlying mental health conditions that can lead to substance abuse and addiction. The longer a man has been engaged with his maladaptive coping strategies, the more difficult it will tend to be for him to realize that he needs help.

The Dangers of Untreated Depression

In today’s culture, it is exceedingly common for men to self-medicate with a combination of video games or sports viewing and alcohol. In cases like these, the depression-suffering man may even realize that his life is unsatisfying and that he needs to resort to these strategies. But over time, the damage to relationships and his health that these coping strategies cause can spiral out of control.
In these, and any case of depression, the sufferer needs to learn to make choices that will remedy the underlying causes of depression and to stop resorting to dangerous and unhealthy methods of masking them. This means seeking help with underlying mental conditions and/or addiction.

Effective Treatment Options for Depression

While a wide range of medications are designed to treat depression, it is usually best to seek a non-invasive treatment alternative first.
These include:
  • Cognitive therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Nutritional counseling
  • Art & activity therapy
  • Addiction treatment & counseling
  • Alternative/Holistic/Spiritual treatment
  • and more
If you or someone you care for suffers from men’s depression. Help is available. Don’t let the stigma of male depression stop you from seeking the necessary treatment. We offer a wide range of evidence-based treatments for mental health issues. Help is just a phone call away.

Get in touch with the addiction and mental health specialists in Franklin, TN at Mind Body Optimization today.

Sustainable Healing Starts Here
]]> Can Transcranial Electrical Stimulation Localize Brain Function? https://mindbodyo.com/can-transcranial-electrical-stimulation-localize-brain-function/ Thu, 07 Nov 2024 19:20:20 +0000 https://mindbodyo.com/?p=3581

Can Transcranial Electrical Stimulation
Localize Brain Function?

Table of Contents
Meet The Authors

While it is hard to hear and even harder to accept, a large proportion of the U.S. population is struggling with mental illness. And this is not a baseless conjectural statement; it is a reality substantiated by several credible studies, one of which comes from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In that study, researchers revealed that more than 31% of U.S. adults struggle with anxiety.

A separate study from the same organization revealed 8.4% struggle with “major” depressive episodes. And it does not end there; many people simultaneously struggle with anxiety and depression, which is not an uncommon phenomenon, according to a study published by the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical center in Rochester, Minnesota.

To cope with anxiety, depression, or both, many people turn to an array of pharmaceutical drugs, the vast majority of which can cause side effects that are arguably worse than the mental illness they’re supposed to treat. But there are other options, one being transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?

Initially developed in 1985, transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive treatment that uses a magnetic field to influence brain activity. And it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat treatment-resistant depression, including major depressive episodes, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and migraines. It is also an FDA-approved smoking cessation treatment. Some studies suggest it may even be effective in treating social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, and other anxiety disorders. When someone receives a TMS treatment, magnetic fields stimulate nerve cells in the brain, which, in turn, combats feelings of depression, anxiety, and other brain-related conditions.

How Does TMS Work?

Now that we have a general understanding of TMS and how it is, for some people, a viable treatment for depression, anxiety, and other brain-related conditions, let’s delve deeper into how these treatments work. There are five steps involved in TMS treatments, and they include
  1. Removing jewelry and other metals – Because TMS uses magnetic energy, individuals must remove jewelry, eyeglasses, and anything else that contains metal.
  2. Inserting earplugs – Once individuals have taken off their jewelry and other metals, a TMS practitioner will provide them with earplugs or over-the-ear, noise-canceling headphones to wear. And this is important since the magnetic coil used to carry out TMS treatments can get loud enough to trigger hearing loss.
  3. Putting on a magnet-containing helmet – Once an individual has removed their jewelry and has hearing protection in or over their ears, a TMS practitioner will place a magnet-containing helmet or another magnet-containing device on top of their head.
  4. Single-pulse stimulations – Most TMS practitioners will administer single-pulse stimulations on an individual’s head, which helps them determine the ideal location and settings for their treatment. During single-pulse stimulations, most individuals report experiencing tapping sensations from the TMS magnet as the practitioner gradually increases the strength of the magnetic pulses.
  5. Pulse stimulation with specific timing or pattern – At this point, the TMS practitioner has already identified an ideal pulse strength and has moved on to having the TMS magnet deliver pulses using a specific timing or pattern. These pulses, which are more deliberate, activate cells in the brain. That activation of cells helps ramp up the production of serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters in the brain that help combat depression and other brain-related conditions. All told, TMS treatment sessions with a licensed practitioner can last anywhere from a few minutes to about half an hour.

Can Transcranial Electrical Stimulation Localize Brain Function?

Something to note when it comes to transcranial magnetic stimulation is that it is often confused with transcranial electrical stimulation (TES). And that confusion further extends to which of the two can localize brain function. Before detailing which one can, let’s take a moment to discuss what it means to localize brain function. In short, the localization of brain function means certain parts of the brain are associated with certain behaviors and mental processes.

For example, the amygdala is responsible for emotion and emotional response, and the hippocampus is responsible for memory. That said, some people wonder whether it is TMS or TES that can be applied to specific brain areas to alter behaviors, mental processes, or both. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), TES treatments are the ones that can help in this regard.

TES and TMS can help combat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other brain-related conditions. However, TES is the treatment protocol that allows practitioners to target specific areas of an individual’s brain to alter behavior or mental processes. In short, TES uses constant or alternating currents to modulate brain activity.
And it entails applying low-intensity currents through scalp electrodes, which produce electrical fields that target specific parts of the brain.In summary, TMS and, to some extent, TES can be viable options for treating mental illnesses and many other conditions if traditional treatments prove ineffective. To learn more about TES and TMS for brain function, consider contacting Mind Body Optimization, a premier addiction and mental health treatment facility in Franklin, Tennessee.
Sustainable Healing Starts Here
]]> Is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) Right For You? https://mindbodyo.com/is-an-intensive-outpatient-program-iop-right-for-you/ Thu, 07 Nov 2024 19:02:17 +0000 https://mindbodyo.com/?p=3577

Is an Intensive Outpatient Program
(IOP) Right For You?

Table of Contents
Meet The Authors
Are you looking for an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to help you stop using drugs or alcohol? An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a drug rehabilitation program that helps individuals stop using their drug of choice and recover from their substance use disorder while preventing relapses. Treatment can include IOP therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and additional recovery services to help you regain your sobriety and prevent relapses. In this article, we’ll discuss the IOP meaning and the benefits and treatment options you’ll find at drug treatment centers that offer Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)s.

What is Intensive Outpatient Program?

Intensive Outpatient Program is a recovery program for individuals with substance or alcohol use disorder. To receive addiction recovery and mental health IOP services, the individual must travel to the treatment center. Once their sessions are over for the day, they return home. These programs help people stop drinking alcohol or taking their drug of choice to recover and regain sobriety. IOP programs are great for individuals with other obligations preventing them from entering an inpatient or residential treatment program.

What are some typical services offered?

Intensive outpatient program services can include:
  • Counseling – Our counseling services at Mind Body Optimization are designed to allow you to talk about your day and the challenges you’ve faced while learning new coping mechanisms and positive ways to deal with stress that do not involve taking illicit substances or pills or drinking alcohol. Our IOP therapist offers individual, group, family, and couples counseling.
  • MAT – MAT stands for medication-assisted treatment, and it is very helpful in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms in people with substance use disorder or alcohol use disorder. It involves taking a prescribed medication in place of the substance of choice.
  • Psychiatry – IOP psychiatry helps identify and treat mental health issues. Many people with substance use disorder often have a coexisting mental health condition they were attempting to self-medicate.
  • TMS – TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and can be used to treat mental health disorders instead of medications.
  • EMDR – EMDR is an acronym for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a therapy that uses light stimulation to change eye movements. It can be used to help treat mental health disorders and to aid in addiction recovery.
  • Recovery Coaching – Recovery coaching involves being paired with a coach who can aid addiction recovery. The coaches then work with the individual to create treatment plan goals, provide resources, help with appointment scheduling, and provide guidance when creating new habits.

Why should I choose an IOP program over an inpatient program?

Intensive outpatient programs work well for people with work, family, or school obligations that prevent them from entering a residential or inpatient treatment program, which requires living at the facility for the duration of the program. IOP programs are also suitable for people who wish to continue their treatment after completing an inpatient program. It can also be for those who have relapsed and need additional drug rehabilitation services and mental health IOP treatments to help them regain sobriety and prevent future relapses.

How long does an IOP program last?

Intensive Outpatient Program meet for several hours each day, multiple times a week. Typically, time commitments per week range from 15 to 25 hours and individuals enrolled in the program can choose to attend in the morning or evening, whichever works best with their schedule. The entire Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) treatment program can range from one to four months.

How much does IOP treatment cost?

The cost of attending an IOP treatment varies with the type of treatment center and its available services. Total costs can range between $3,000 and $10,000 or between $250 to $250 a day. At Mind Body Optimization, we’ll review the costs with you and help create a financial plan to help you afford treatment for your substance use disorder.

How does someone start an IOP treatment program?

Starting an IOP treatment program is as easy as making a phone call. At Mind Body Optimization, all you have to do to begin the process of getting enrolled in our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) treatment program is dial 615-6371532. One of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will answer your call and provide you with information about our treatment programs for substance use disorder. This step starts the intake process and allows us to discuss treatment options, costs, and ways to pay. We can even help you create a financial plan to help you afford treatment.

What can I expect at my first appointment?

Your first IOP appointment at Mind Body Optimization involves an intake assessment with one of our licensed behavioral health professionals. During this appointment, we’ll evaluate your physical and mental health to determine the services most benefit you. We’ll also answer all of your questions and create your treatment schedule.

Sustainable Healing Starts Here
]]> Coping with Mental Health Issues During Parenthood https://mindbodyo.com/coping-with-mental-health-issues-during-parenthood/ Thu, 07 Nov 2024 18:06:54 +0000 https://mindbodyo.com/?p=3559

Coping with Mental Health
Issues During Parenthood

Table of Contents
Meet The Authors

Having a mental health disorder can be a difficult and isolating experience, but when you are also a parent, the challenge of managing your mental health can be even more daunting. Parenting and mental illness can be a delicate balancing act, as parents must care for their children while managing their own mental health needs. In this article, we will discuss the unique challenges of coping with a mental health disorder while also being a parent and share helpful strategies for navigating this difficult situation.

How Parental Mental Illness Impacts Children

Like many diseases, mental health disorders tend to run in the family, passing down to the child from the parent. This risk is more likely if there are two mentally ill parents.

A study in the American Journal of Psychiatry followed the children of depressed parents to see how well they performed in adulthood over 20 years. Compared to children whose parents weren’t depressed, kids involved in the study were three times more at risk for substance abuse and mental health disorders.

Of course, you should know just because one parent has a mental health condition doesn’t automatically mean it will affect their children. Instead, it’s about how the condition impacts the parent’s behavior. Many people with depression, anxiety, and other disorders go on to live happy and successful lives with treatment.
However, dealing with depression can inadvertently create issues in parenting. For example, you may not be as expressive with your emotions, which could impact bonding with your child. In addition, these situations are usually stressful for both the parent and child, leading to difficulties with trust.
It helps to be upfront and communicate with your children about mental health, but choose your words carefully. For example, although they may not fully describe what you experience, the terms “sad” and “scared” are easier to hear and more digestible than “depressed” and “anxiety.”

Overcoming Mental Health Issues During Parenthood

Juggling the stress of a mental illness and parenting is challenging, with no one-size-fits-all solution. However, that means there are several angles to approach parental mental illness.

Have a Support Network in Place

  • Identify one or two people you can ask for support.
  • Let people know as soon as possible if you’re struggling to cope and need support.
  • Ask for help with practical tasks, such as cooking meals and transport.
  • Ask the nursery or school to monitor your children for behavior changes.
  • See if your employer offers any support programs that could alleviate stress.

Stay Organized

  • Keep routines like bedtime and mealtimes to regular times.
  • Plan in the evening for busy mornings by preparing bags and lunches ahead of time.
  • Make advance plans to delegate responsibilities when you feel unwell.
  • Write down family routines for consistency.
  • Have a designated quiet area for homework.

Seek Help as Needed

  • Ask a trusted friend to help research or accompany you to a new support service.
  • Write down a list of questions to ask the support service.
Reaching out for help can feel daunting and create fears about your ability to care for your children. But remember that support services have supported many other parents in similar situations, and their experienced staff can help advise you.

Parenthood and Mental Illness: Will My Child Have It?

Mental illness isn’t contagious, but research indicates a genetic link in some conditions. For example, doctors have long known that bipolar disorder runs in families. Others may pass on hereditary traits that make someone more likely to develop a disorder without passing on that specific condition.
Having a mental health condition does not guarantee your child will have one, too. However, because of your lived experience, you may be more adaptable to the unique challenges of parenthood and mental illness.

Risk Factors

Children of parents with a mental illness are at greater risk for developing behavioral, emotional, or social problems. Parents struggling with a mental health disorder can inadvertently create an unpredictable and inconsistent family environment, which raises the child’s risk. Other factors that can have an impact on any child include:
  • Poverty
  • Poor communication between parent and child
  • Openly aggressive behavior by parents
  • Marital or occupational difficulties
  • Single-parent families
Children at the most significant risk have their own difficulties, at least one mentally ill parent, and a chronically stressful family environment. Fortunately, preventative interventions can alleviate many of these aspects, such as through communication training.

The Takeaway

It’s no secret that parenting with a mental health condition can leave you feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. But it’s important to realize that caring for kids often starts with caring for yourself. You can take many steps to tackle your mental health and improve your parenting skills.
Mind Body Optimization provides a range of services to help you take care of your mental health. From individual counseling and group therapy to online resources and support groups, we offer various options to help you maintain your mental well-being while being a parent.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

Sustainable Healing Starts Here
]]> The Effects of Depression On the Body https://mindbodyo.com/the-effects-of-depression-on-the-body/ Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:47:24 +0000 https://mindbodyo.com/?p=3556

The Effects of Depression On the Body

Table of Contents
Meet The Authors
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions that affects people all over the world, and most people are quite familiar with the usual symptoms of prolonged sadness and a general sense of malaise. While mental health advocates are doing a great job of helping to educate people about how to spot these common symptoms, there is still much more that the average person can learn about depression and the body. Once you realize just how many aspects of your life depression can affect, making the decision to seek treatment takes on greater importance.

What Exactly Is Depression?

Depression is generally recognized as a mental health condition that causes feelings of sadness, a low mood and energy levels for two weeks or longer. Most people will occasionally feel sad for a brief time after they experience disappointment or hardship, but depression becomes a more likely possibility if those negative feelings continue for a long period of time.
Depression can also occur in the absence of a clearly defined negative life event. Some people develop the condition for reasons that usually involve chemical changes in the brain. There are also different types of depression, and each type can have a profound effect on your body.

What Body Parts Are Affected by Depression?

The effects of depression typically begin in your brain, but you can also notice them in other parts of your body. As depression impacts your central nervous system, you might notice changes in how your muscles feel and move. Many people with depression find that simply walking around feels like it takes more energy than normal.
People also tend to experience issues with their digestive system, and you might experience changes in your cardiovascular system as well. Virtually, every part of your body is capable of experiencing the physical effects of depression.

What Are the Physical Effects of Depression On the Body?

Fatigue, headaches and sleep disruptions are just a few common depression side effects that you might experience. The same chemical changes in the brain that make you feel sad can also cause your energy levels to drop. If you add on a lack of sleep from insomnia, then you may feel severe fatigue that is similar to what you might have with the flu or other physical ailments.
A depression diagnosis might also provide some insight into why you are dealing with digestive changes. Some people experience a lack of appetite with depression, and this could alter how and when you eat. If you don’t get proper nutrition, then you might experience a lowered immune system along with the symptoms of malnutrition. On the flip side, overeating or consuming too many fatty or sugary comfort foods could cause you to experience abdominal pain, gas or diarrhea.

Could My Aches and Pains Be Depression Side Effects?

Feeling more physical discomfort in general is absolutely possible with depression. As your body systems fall out of their normal rhythms, you could notice that those aches and pains are more noticeable. If you sit or lie down for long periods of time, then your joints can also get stiff. Headaches and stomach pain are also normal responses to alterations in your normal body rhythms.

Are There Long Term Effects of Depression to Know About?

When you’re wondering what depression can cause, you might be hoping to find out if it is contributing to lifestyle habits that also affect your body. Most of the symptoms of depression will gradually subside with treatment, but there are some lingering effects that you might need to think about.
Over time, disruptions in your body’s central nervous system can cause your body to function differently than it did in the past. Using unhealthy habits to address your depression symptoms further exacerbates this process. For instance, smoking or using alcohol to feel better temporarily can have longer term effects on your cardiovascular, digestive and central nervous systems.

How Do You Ease Depression Effects On The Body?

Depression in the body doesn’t have to rob you of your ability to enjoy your favorite activities. One of the first things you can do is stop engaging in unhealthy habits that increase your physical discomfort. Getting help with over consuming alcohol or using drugs can stop dreaded hangovers that only make you feel worse. Reaching out for help with finding an appropriate depression treatment also helps you to begin to ease both your physical and emotional pain.

Can You Fully Recover From Depression Body Symptoms?

Recovering from depression often feels like slowly waking up again after a long and disruptive slumber. With proper treatment, you should find that the effects of depression on your body slowly begin to fade away. If a physical symptom lingers, then it may be necessary to explore why. However, most people find that taking medications, using talk therapy and improving their nutrition works well for stopping the devastating effects that depression has on their wellbeing.
Mental health conditions often present with physical symptoms that further demonstrate the connections that exist between your mind and body. This is why Mind Body Optimization focuses on providing integrated healthcare that sets you on the right path for improving how you feel overall. From treating depression using brain stimulation methods to giving you an emotional outlet through talk therapy, you’ll find that our multi-pronged approach helps to bring your body and mind into greater harmony.
Sustainable Healing Starts Here
]]> Analyzing the Benefits of Psychiatric Therapy https://mindbodyo.com/analyzing-the-benefits-of-psychiatric-therapy/ Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:13:28 +0000 https://mindbodyo.com/?p=3552

Analyzing the Benefits of Psychiatric Therapy

Table of Contents
Meet The Authors
Mental health issues can have devastating effects on the local community. For this reason, psychiatric therapy is needed now more than ever to help those suffering from complex psychological conditions. Therapy benefits people from all walks of life and is necessary for mental health recovery.

What Is Psychiatric Therapy?

Psychiatric therapy aims to help individuals with psychological or emotional challenges maintain an everyday, healthy life. It involves several treatment strategies, including:
  • Counseling
  • Psychiatry
  • TMS
  • EMDR
  • Ketamine Therapy
  • Recovery Coaching
  • Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOT)

What is a Psychiatric Therapist?

A psychiatric therapist is a medical professional specializing in psychiatric disorders. These mental health specialists diagnose, treat, and manage various mental health issues.
Therapists at Mind Body Optimization hold advanced degrees in psychology and are licensed in Tennessee. They also complete thousands of supervised clinical hours before receiving their license or certification.

What Types of Mental Health Issues Can Psychiatric Therapy Help Treat?

Mental health is a far-reaching field that can help anyone needing to take back their life. Psychiatric therapists specialize in treating mental health conditions, such as:
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Substance and alcohol abuse
  • Co-occurring disorders

What are the Long-Term Benefits of Psychiatric Therapy?

Psychiatric Therapy benefits many people, including those with long-term mental illness, acute anxiety, or drug addiction. Benefits of therapy include:

Reducing Symptoms

Mental illness has many signs and symptoms that can last for a short time, or they can be with a person for their entire lives. Fortunately, psychiatric therapy and treatments can have a dramatic effect on symptoms like:
  • Sadness
  • Confusion
  • Fear and anxiety
  • Mood swings
  • Substance abuse
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Anger
  • Suicidal thoughts

Improving Health

Mental and physical health go together to improve your overall well-being, and having one without the other is difficult. For example, depression and anxiety can affect normal heart function, increase the risk of diabetes, and possibly lead to a stroke. For those reasons, it’s critical to seek help immediately for mental illness or distress symptoms.

Providing Coping Skills

During therapy sessions, you’ll learn to resolve conflicts, relieve stress, and cope with problems, such as:
  • Anger
  • Sleep disorders
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Mood changes
  • Health issues
  • Unexpected life changes
Of course, there are others. But learning coping skills focuses on functioning well when life presents challenges.

Reducing Stress

Stress reduction is a natural by-product of ongoing therapy. Your natural stress hormones begin to subside as you find peace and resolution. Nervous system function begins to normalize, and your body becomes more relaxed.

Fostering Happiness

Improved mental health leads to a feeling of happiness and well-being. As you see improved mental wellness, your thoughts turn from your problems, and you can see the world differently. You view your circumstances through a more transparent lens and can cope with life’s challenges in a positive way.

What are the Benefits of Counseling?

Counseling is one of many therapies provided at Mind Body Optimization. The benefits of sitting down with a therapist and working through mental challenges are many:
  • You gain acceptance and improve your self-esteem
  • Your ability to change self-defeating habits is increased
  • You can better express yourself and your feelings
  • You experience relief from depression, anxiety, or anger

How Can I Find the Right Type of Therapy for Me?

Finding the correct type of psychiatric treatment in Franklin, Tennessee, is easy with some simple research. Your goal is to find a team of professionals dedicated to providing mental healthcare services tailored to your needs.

Our Approach

Mind Body Optimization specializes in treating various mental health, addiction, and co-occurring conditions. Our holistic approach means you receive care specific to your needs. It’s mental healthcare that works for you.

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]]> Identifying and Treating Postpartum Depression https://mindbodyo.com/identifying-and-treating-postpartum-depression/ Thu, 07 Nov 2024 16:47:07 +0000 https://mindbodyo.com/?p=3548

Identifying and Treating Postpartum Depression

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Meet The Authors
Are you experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression? Postpartum or maternal depression is sometimes interchangeably used with the term baby blues. It’s important to understand that PPD is a severe condition, while the term baby blues typically refers to a milder form that lasts between 2 days to 2 weeks after a woman gives birth. In this article, we’ll explain what postpartum depression is, the signs to look for, and when to seek treatment.

What is PPD?

Postpartum depression is a serious mental illness that affects between 10 and 13 percent of women, according to the CDC. That’s between 1 in 8 and 1 in 10 women. It can affect the woman’s ability to care for herself and her baby. To ensure the health and well-being of the mother and new baby, early identification of maternal depression symptoms is essential.

What are the symptoms of PPD?

Postpartum depression is characterized by sadness, hopelessness, anxiety and even guilt. Physical symptoms may include eating more or less than usual, changes in sleeping patterns, difficulty bonding with the baby, and fluctuating energy levels. The woman may also experience physical aches and pains that do not improve with treatment.
If you’re concerned that you have postpartum depression or a woman in your family has postpartum depression, there is a postpartum depression test available at Mental Health America that can help with early identification. Of course, this test is not a definitive diagnosis, so speaking with a professional postpartum counselor, like those at Mind Body Optimization is important.

What causes postpartum depression?

It’s important to understand that postpartum depression doesn’t have a single cause. It’s also not a character flaw in the woman or due to anything the new mother did or didn’t do before, during or after the pregnancy. With that being said, risk factors can increase a woman’s chances of developing maternal depression.
  • The baby was born with health problems or special needs.
  • The woman has had multiple pregnancies.
  • The woman wasn’t excited about becoming a new mom or having the baby.
  • Having multiple births, like twins or triplets.
  • The woman has little social or family support.
  • A different stressful event happened during or shortly after the pregnancy, like a job loss, relationship breakup, or financial difficulties.

Are there any risk factors for developing PPD?

Some risk factors may make it more likely for a woman to develop postpartum depression.
  • Already having a family history or personal history of depression or other mood disorders before becoming pregnant.
  • Being a younger mother.
  • Having premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which is a severe version of PMS.
  • Having marital conflicts or strife in the marriage.

What are the available treatments for postpartum depression?

It’s important to understand that after having a baby, there will be some postpartum adjustment as hormone levels return to normal and the body heals. However, it’s time to seek treatment for persistent and severe symptoms.

Postpartum counseling

Postpartum counseling and therapy are highly effective at treating the depression that occurs after having a baby. This treatment can help the new mother understand her feelings about having a new baby and learn new coping skills to deal with the challenges of caring for the baby.

Postpartum medications

If therapy doesn’t provide enough help, there are postpartum medications that can be prescribed. These may include antidepressants or serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Postpartum support groups

Joining a support group with other people who have just had babies can help the woman not feel alone in her symptoms. Not to mention, she can read other people’s stories.

What are some tips for coping with PPD?

Are you wondering how to help someone with postpartum depression? Coping with postpartum depression may seem difficult, but there are some tips that can help with the symptoms. Most importantly, encourage the woman to seek help and reach out for support. Finding a good counselor or therapist who performs a PPD screening and provides talk therapy and stress management techniques can be invaluable.
Remind your female family member or friend to practice good self-care. Everyone, including new mothers, needs to take time for themselves. That includes taking a shower, taking time to be with their emotions and understand why they may be feeling the way they do, and getting plenty of exercise.
Next, remind your female friend, family member, wife, or girlfriend to be patient. Postpartum adjustment is real, and it can take time to heal, recover and develop a new normal for daily life.

Lastly, recommend that they seek professional treatment that includes a PPD screening. Mind Body Optimization in Franklin, TN can help you or your female family member heal from their postpartum depression. We offer treatment for mental health issues, including baby blues and maternal depression.

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]]> 5 Ways to Cope with PTSD in the Workplace https://mindbodyo.com/5-ways-to-cope-with-ptsd-in-the-workplace/ Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:26:01 +0000 https://mindbodyo.com/?p=3543

5 Ways to Cope with PTSD in the Workplace

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Meet The Authors
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect people who have experienced a traumatic situation, which can be related to warfare or assault. In addition, it can affect those directly involved with the situation and individuals who witness others experiencing it. It can result from one instance or, in the case of complex PTSD, traumatic experiences that took place over a longer period of time, such as years. Feeling unable to escape is a major cause. It can be challenging to cope with PTSD in the workplace or in any situation, but work can be amongst the most difficult. This is because it can affect your:
  • memory
  • ability to concentrate
  • personal interactions
  • anxiety
However, the five ways to cope below will help you handle it while in this environment.

Grounding Yourself

If you feel yourself experiencing PTSD symptoms and revisiting those related experiences, do your best to refocus your mind on the present. One way to do this is by identifying something you can use your senses – smelling, tasting, touching, hearing, and feeling – with and focusing your energy on that.
Another option to consider is shaking your body when standing, which can help you to refocus.

Using Headphones or Earplugs

If it is allowed in your work environment, use headphones or earplugs to help block out outside noises. This is useful as a noisy, hectic workplace can increase anxiety and flashbacks. This coping method can help with PTSD in the workplace and allows many to calm down and focus on the music or something else. If you use headphones, you may want to consider listening to white noise to help calm yourself.

Activating Your Vagus Nerve Can Help With PTSD in the Workplace

Stimulating your vagus nerve, which runs from your brain to your colon, helps calm those fight-or-flight responses that PTSD tends to activate. You can do so through a few simple activities. One is to chew gum. You can also do this by humming or chanting to yourself and engaging in breathing exercises.
These activities help refocus your mind on the present as well.

Escaping During Lunch or Breaks Can Help With PTSD in the Workplace

Leaving your workplace when possible, such as during lunch or while on your breaks, may help you manage PTSD-related symptoms. If you have a job in which you are generally sitting, walking during those times can also help lower your blood pressure and increase your production of endorphins, which can assist you in handling these challenging situations.

Simply put, getting alone time whenever possible can help you better cope with PTSD in the Workplace. Other ways to do so are by timing your eating breaks for when the break room is emptier and taking bathroom breaks more often to provide you with the means to get away from the hustle and bustle of your workplace.
You should engage in meditation or deep-breaking exercises when you are away.

Leaving Work at Work Can Decrease PTSD in the Workplace

One thing you can do to cope with PTSD is to leave work at work mentally. That means that if it is possible with your job, completely separate work time and away-from work time in your mind. When you leave for the day, leave your work-related thoughts there, and get after any issues or uncompleted work the next time you are there. Avoid working at home or otherwise ruminating on workplace issues.
If this is impossible, do so as best as possible. Set aside whatever time you can to not be available for work and not worry or think about anything related to your job.

Therapy Helps Individuals With PTSD in the Workplace

In addition to taking advantage of the above coping skills for PTSD, you may want to consider the Mind Body Optimization holistic approach to mental health. We have significant experience effectively treating mental health conditions and handling co-occurring ones.

We consider the entire individual in our treatment as we help them recover from their experiences. Contact us today to make your first appointment!

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